Carter is a Republican. Gary is a Democrat.

They met in 1984, during the epic U.S. Senate battle between Jesse Helms and Jim Hunt. Carter worked for Helms and Gary, for Hunt.

Years later, they became friends. They even worked together on some nonpolitical clients.

They enjoy talking about politics. So they started this blog in 2005.

They’re still talking. And they invite you to join the conversation.

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Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce 2024

Gary Pearce

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Uh-Oh

By Gary Pearce April 25, 2012

The last time I paid attention to internal Democratic Party politics was during Governor Hunt’s first two terms, when the party had chairs and executive directors like Betty McCain and David Price.   Ah, the good old days.   This week I asked a young friend who is involved in the party now: “Who are the…

The Golden Rule

By Gary Pearce April 24, 2012

Here’s the Golden Rule of Politics: “Them that has the gold (to buy TV time) rule.” So it is with the Democratic governor’s race.   Bob Etheridge had a lead in initial polls. I thought he won the debates. But Walter Dalton is winning where it counts: on TV ads.   Public Policy Polling reports…

The 3 Percent Mystery

By Gary Pearce April 24, 2012

A TAPster asks a pertinent question about the CBS/New York Times poll that found John Edwards’ favorable rating at 3 percent: “Who in the hell are the 3 percent?”

Doing Business

By Gary Pearce April 24, 2012

Is Bill Faison the business community’s favorite in the Democratic race for Governor?   One well-wired lobbyist thinks so.   Why? Isn’t Faison a trial lawyer, a species viewed with fear and loathing by business people?   Simple. If Faison wins the nomination, the business community “could put all their efforts into McCrory.” They owe…

Flying High

By Gary Pearce April 23, 2012

A TAPster raises a question about Governor Perdue and the state plane:   “Everyone was relieved to hear that catastrophe was averted last week when Governor Perdue’s state-owned aircraft had a mechanical problem and made an emergency landing at RDU.   “But, here are some questions:   “Why in the hell was she taking a…

Let’s Fact-Check the Fact-Checkers

By Carter Wrenn April 23, 2012

I think I’m going to start writing columns about reporters who write columns telling folks what’s true and untrue in political ads. After all, the reporters are setting themselves up as referees so why not fact-check the fact-checkers? For instance:   A respected reporter here in Raleigh recently wrote a fact-check about the American Foundations…

Mr. Parker

By Carter Wrenn April 21, 2012

Yesterday morning the phone rang and when I picked it up a friend said, Did you read Gary’s blog about David Parker? and I said, No;―I’d been scrupulously avoiding reading one word about Mr. Parker’s foibles on the theory no one cared except a dozen crazed political hacks at Democratic Headquarters and another dozen hacks…

He’s Just A Friendly Guy

By Luther Snyder April 20, 2012

Parker’s Folly

By Gary Pearce April 20, 2012

Character is destiny, especially in politics. The pressures and the spotlight inevitably show the world exactly who you are. So it was with David Parker yesterday.   The N&O called it “an extraordinary act of political theater.” John Frank described Parker as “assured.” Those who know him use another word: “arrogant.”   He has a…

We’re Moving to Substack

By Gary Pearce May 28, 2026

Carter Wrenn and I are moving to Substack. That’s where you’ll find our blogs in the…

Political Shots Fired

By Gary Pearce April 28, 2026

The political sniping began even as chaos still reigned at the White House Correspondents Dinner. My…

Obama 48-Trump 39

By Gary Pearce April 26, 2026

A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…